The often annoying international break is over, at least for now. English premier League action resumed, and as usual, there was everything to write home. There were upsets. Manchester United lost. Again. Liverpool have no problem with lunchtime kick-offs, and Salah deserves the King’s crown.
But what else did we learn from the weekend action?
SALAH STAKES EARLY CLAIM FOR THE BALLON D’OR
Although Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick, Mohamed Salah‘s name was on everyone’s lips during Liverpool’s 5-0 thumping of Watford, which featured another spectacular strike from the Egyptian.
Salah, whose bookie bets football odds for scoring continue to attract bettors, began with a brilliant early assist that set up Sadio Mane for the game’s first goal, but it was his second-half shot that startled supporters and reignited debate over whether he is the finest player in the world right now. Check out the best odds on the Premier League with Vwin, the most reliable Asian bookmaker.
All of Liverpool’s forwards scored, which is encouraging, but Salah’s performance, which comes after yet another spectacular goal against Manchester City, puts him in a league of his own.
LEICESTER DEFEAT PROVES MAN UNITED HAVE WORK TO DO
Manchester United were supposed to transform into real Premier League championship challengers this season thanks to high-profile summer additions, but a draw and two defeats in their past three games suggest it will be a big task once again.
The 4-2 defeat against Leicester City, who came into the game on the tail of a four-game losing streak, highlighted United’s flaws in many areas, most notably a shaky and error-prone defence.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s blazing return to United and the Premier League has waned in recent weeks, as he struggled to make an impression against the Foxes, with Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane still finding their feet.
CHELSEA MAKES ANOTHER CHANGE
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was forced to make another backline change against Brentford on Saturday, and the manner his players held out against a late barrage from the visitors demonstrated why the Blues are considered real championship contenders.
Tuchel gave Malang Sarr, 22, his league debut alongside Trevoh Chalobah, who was making only his fourth start for the Blues, and Denmark’s Andreas Christensen, when Antonio Rudiger was injured and Thiago Silva returned from Brazil duty too late to play.
Tuchel made a point of congratulating Frenchman Sarr as he matched the speed of winger Bryan Mbeumo in the last 25 minutes, helping the Blues cling on for a 1-0 triumph that maintained them top of the table.
NORWICH CONTINUE TO FALTER IN ATTACK
Norwich City preserved their second consecutive clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, and while manager Daniel Farke saw it as a sign of progress, his club has only scored twice all season and is still bottom of the table.
Teemu Pukki scored eight goals in the first eight games of the club’s last Premier League season in 2019-20, but the Finnish striker has struggled to duplicate such success in his second season in the top division.
Farke’s team is suffering in the final third with offensive midfielder Todd Cantwell out injured and their greatest creator Emiliano Buendia having moved to Aston Villa from Norwich.
ARSENAL… STILL ARSENAL
A string of three consecutive wins for Mikel Arteta got fans thinking they had finally got their groove back. Guess who came to spoil the party? It was an old boy, a member of the famous Invincibles who came and spoilt the party.
It took a late strike from Alexandre Lacazette to secure a point for Arteta after Crystal Palace, managed by Patrick Viera came from behind to lead 2-1 at the Emirates. Nothing new right?
